Lions seek outright semis slot

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THE Red Lions are smelling an outright semifinals berth but Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda coach Yuri Escueta refused to feel giddy about their chances.

RISING: Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda University’s James Payosing will be a marked man anew today. PBA D-LEAGUE PHOTO

“We have to do better than our last game,” Escueta said. “We expect the games to be tougher and we can’t take any team for granted.

“Our goal is to make the top two and we expect a tough game against CEU to achieve that goal,” he added.

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Centro Escolar University counterpart Jeff Perlas admitted his team will face a tall task but said they’re unfazed.

“Underdog mentality talaga kami coming into this league,” Perlas said. “It’s a much tougher competition, especially with the presence of UAAP and NCAA champions. We’ll be ready.”

The Lions tangle with the Scorpions today in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda is unbeaten in three games and another win would tie it with the idle defending champion EcoOil-LaSalle on top, with both squads gaining the top two slots.

But CEU (2-1) can provide an interesting twist in the tug-of-war for an outright semis spot should it beat the Lions in their 7:30 p.m. duel.

A shock win by the Scorpions will not only tie it with Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda but also keep them in the race for an outright slot in the Final Four.

CCI-Yengskivel (1-2) and Go Torakku-St. Clare (0-3) seek an all-important victory when they clash in the curtain-raiser at 4:30.

A second triumph by CCI-Yengskivel will give the team a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals but a victory by Go Torakku-St. Clare would keep it in contention for a coveted spot in the playoffs.

No team will be eliminated after the single-round eliminations. The top two teams will clinch automatic berths in the semis while the third and fourth teams will enjoy twice-to-beat advantages in the quarterfinals.

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